DNA fingerprinting of Riemerella anatipestifer isolates from ducks.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to I Kiss.
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Recurrence of porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome (PRRS) was observed on a pig farm after introducing two PRRS live virus vaccines to combat preceding outbreaks. The phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequence encoding the GP5 envelope glycoprotein and the nucleocapsid protein coding sequences (ORF5 and ORF7, respectively) showed a close genetic relationship between the new outbreak-related and one of the vaccine viruses, while the prevailing PRRS virus genetic variants disappeared from the farm. These findings, supported by the epidemiological data, indicate that the new variant PRRS viruses might originate from a vaccine virus and demonstrate the limited efficacy of modified live vaccines against heterologous PRRS virus strains.
To define the genetic variability of RHDV strains collected in eastern Hungary, liver samples from rabbits that had died of RHD were collected between 1988 and 2003. The phylogenetic analysis of a 528-nucleotide-long portion of the gene encoding the VP60 capsid protein assigned the strains into three genogroups. The first group contained viruses from 1988-1993, and a second group comprised isolates from 1994-2002. A third group comprised all of the tested representatives of the RHDVa subtype and a Hungarian isolate from 2003. These findings were supported by the alignments of the deduced amino acid sequences of the VP60 gene and strongly suggest the presence of the RHDVa subtype in Hungary.
During the analysis of environmental risk posed by hazardous waste disposal sites, ecological impact on whole ecosystems should be assessed. It requires a complex testing scheme where surrogate species represent key elements of the ecosystem. However, different organisms are exposed to a differing degree, also, their sensitivity to the same contaminant may vary. A possible way to determine which test reflects most the actual toxic conditions, correlation can be calculated between the measured ecological parameter (such as growth inhibition, mortality, etc.) and a contaminant gradient. The basic aim of this study was to determine which ecotoxicological test shows the best correlation with the measured analytical parameters. The selected tests were Lemna minor (representing primary producers), Thamnocephalus platyurus (a primary consumer organism) and Vibrio fischeri (decomposer). When testing soil samples, the Thamnocephalus test showed excellent consistency with most contaminants but was oversensitive in the case of groundwater samples. The Vibrio fischeri bioluminescence inhibition test (ToxAlert) behaved in a different way, reflecting well the distribution of most contaminants in groundwater samples. Finally, Lemna test proved to be completely inadequate.
The primary endpoint of this study was to evaluate the efficacy (objective response rate; ORR) of combined chemotherapy with raltitrexed plus oxaliplatin as second-line treatment in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). Secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS), time to progression (TTP) and toxicity (NCI-CTC criteria). The target population were patients with metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma who progressed after first-line chemotherapy. Treatment consisted of raltitrexed 3 mg/m2 as a 15-minute intravenous (IV) infusion followed 45 minutes later by oxaliplatin 130 mg/m(2) IV as a 2-h infusion on Day 1, repeated every 3 weeks until further disease progression (PD), unacceptable toxicity or the decision of the patient. A total of 51 patients, all with WHO performance status 0-2 received a median of 6 treatment cycles (range 1-11). After 3 cycles, 8 of the 47 evaluable patients (17%) had experienced an ORR, 28 patients (59.6%) had experienced stable disease (SD) and 11 patients (23.4%) had PD. After 6 cycles, 1 of the 29 evaluable patients (3.5%) had an ORR, 13 patients (44.8%) had SD and 15 patients (51.7%) had PD. After a median follow-up of 48.9 weeks, median TTP was 18 weeks and median overall survival was 54.4 weeks. Treatment was well tolerated; grade 3 toxicities occurred in only 5/51 patients (9.8%). The most common toxicities were paraesthesia (62.7%), diarrhoea (23.5%), nausea (41.2%), vomiting (33.3%), hepatotoxicity (25.5%), and hematological toxicity (41.2%). In conclusion, the combination of oxaliplatin plus raltitrexed appears to be effective and well tolerated as second-line therapy in patients with disseminated CRC.
Porcine circoviruses (PCV) are present in pigs worldwide; they are grouped into two types: PCV1 comprising non-pathogenic viruses and PCV2 responsible for several clinical manifestations. Both types are frequently detected in domestic pigs, the prevalence and role of PCV in wild boars however, is not well studied. During the years 2002-2003 over 2000 organ samples of Hungarian wild boars were collected, grouped and samples from 307 different animals were tested by polymerase chain reaction for the presence of PCV. 35.5% of the wild boars were positive for one or both PCV types and PCV2 was detected in 20.5% of the animals. The PCV2 viruses were divided into 7 groups (WB-H1-7) based on sequencing data and genomes representing these groups were sequenced completely. The wild boar PCV2 groups were distributed evenly in the geographical region, regardless of the time and place of collection. The phylogenetic analysis of the PCV2 sequences of wild boar and domestic pig origin showed the possibility of an epidemiological link between wild boar and domestic pig infections. Interestingly, the complete nucleotide sequence of the viruses and the predicted amino acid sequence of the replication associated protein (ORF1) grouped the viruses similarly, whereas the capsid protein (ORF2) comparisons revealed different relations among the groups, suggesting the possibility of genomic recombination in PCV2.
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The present work describes two cases of consecutive fowl cholera outbreak series occurring in goose and turkey flocks. Most strains isolated from epidemiologically related outbreaks showed genetic relatedness, as revealed by enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus-PCR and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, suggesting that the consecutive outbreaks were due to recurrences rather than reinfections.
Since genetic recombination is a major factor in the evolution of the cytopathogenic (cp) bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) biotypes, in this study the cytopathogenicity markers were investigated in the genomes of two cp BVDV strains recently isolated from mucosal disease (MD) cases in Hungary. In the genome of strain H4956, a Jiv-like insertion was found similar to those described in reference strain NADL and in other BVDV 1, BVDV 2 and border disease virus (BDV) strains. The 133 amino acid Jiv-like sequence is inserted at nucleotide position 4984 (amino acid position 1533), 9 nucleotides upstream of that of strain NADL. The insertion showed 96% amino acid sequence identity with the cellular Jiv protein. In the genome of cp BVDV strain H115/PCR, an ubiquitin-containing duplication was found. The duplicated sequence started at nucleotide position 7978 (amino acid 2531) in the NS4B gene. The duplication contained a complete ubiquitin monomer of 76 amino acids and the complete NS3 gene starting at nucleotide position 5153 (amino acid 1589), which corresponds to the first N-terminal amino acid of NS3. The duplication was located further downstream of the known ubiquitin-containing genomic regions of cp BVDV strains, and it consisted of the shortest inserted nucleotide sequence. The insertions and duplication of strains H4956 and H115/PCR further confirmed that recombinations occurring at positions A and B are the most common mechanisms leading to the development of BVDV cytopathogenicity.
A 76-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with vertigo. Previously he had been extensively examined because of an increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate without any clinical symptoms. Physical examination revealed 60 mmHg blood pressure difference between the two arms. Color duplex ultrasound examination revealed bilateral extreme narrowing of the external carotid and axillobrachial artery with a dark, hypo-echoic halo around the lumen. This condition was recognized as a specific sign for giant cell arteritis (GCA), described originally in cases of temporal arteritis. The diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy of the temporal artery. In contrast to the typical cranial form of GCA -- our patient showed an unusual, bilateral large-vessel manifestation. The diagnosis was based on ultrasound images rather than on symptoms that characterize the well-known temporal form. This observation emphasizes the role of color duplex ultrasonography in the diagnosis and follow-up of GCA.
Eight cats were immunized with an avirulent strain of feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV)-UCD1, then challenge-exposed to a highly virulent cat passaged strain (FIPV-UCD8). Th1 and Th2 cytokine profiles in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were measured throughout in the experiment. No clinical signs of FIP were evident in the experimental cats after immunization. After challenge, the immunized cats demonstrated one of four clinical outcomes: (1) classical effusive FIP; (2) accelerated FIP; (3) non-effusive FIP, or (4) resistance to challenge. Only minor cytokine changes were observed following immunization, however, several cytokine changes occurred following challenge-exposure. The most noteworthy changes were in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) levels. Our preliminary findings suggest that immunity against FIP is associated with TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma response imbalance, with high TNF-alpha/low IFN-gamma mRNA responses favouring disease and low TNF-alpha/high IFN-gamma mRNA responses being indicative of immunity.
The aim of the project is to assess the quality and improve the preventive and curative practices at the primary care level in Hungary. A total of 50 general practitionaires were selected on a voluntary basis in Budapest, Hungary, and from them, 30 were randomized to the intervention (I) group and 20 to the reference (R) group. The members in the I group have been trained for the official hypertension guideline and their everyday work is monitored. Those in the R group have only been monitored to measure the efficacy of the training. In all, 10% from the known hypertensive persons (N=10,799) and 5% of the remaining (nonhypertensive) patients (N=60,341) were selected randomly from the GP's computer files and invited for screening investigation performed by trained medical students. They measured the blood pressure of patients, assessed the cardiovascular risk status and the quality of education of patients by standardized questionnaires. In total, 4083 patients were invited, but only 39.2% attended the screening visit. The prevalence of undetected hypertension was 34.6%. This prevalence was significantly higher in the older (>60 years: 46.8%) than in the younger (<50 years: 20.8%, P<0.0001) age group and it was higher in men (41.5%) than in women (30.1%, P<0.001). The proportion of H patients on drug treatment was 85.3% and the frequency of patients under effective blood pressure control (eg<140/90 mmHg) was 27.8%. Counselling to patients for a healthier lifestyle (exercise, smoking, alcohol consumption, diet) was very rare. In conclusion, our data represent the primary care of Budapest and may not be relevant to the whole country. As a consequence of this study, education of primary care physicians and patients is a must for further improvement of hypertension care.
BACKGROUND: Impaired gastric emptying has previously been detected by ultrasonography in cirrhotic patients, and the role of the type of meal has also been discussed. While these earlier studies dealt with the distal part of the stomach, the aim of our study was to examine the effects of three different types of meal on the proximal stomach in cirrhotic patients. METHODS: The proximal stomach was examined by ultrasonography in 15 healthy volunteers and in 21 alcoholic cirrhotic patients. The subjects received a liquid meal with a low calorie content and two different semisolid test meals with a low calorie content or high calorie and fat contents. The proximal gastric size was assessed by ultrasonography in a sagittal area and a frontal diameter. On the basis of assessment of the autonomic nervous function, the cirrhotic patients were divided into two groups: autonomic neuropathy positive and autonomic neuropathy negative. RESULTS: The postcibal gastric size immediately after ingestion of the liquid test meal was significantly lower in the cirrhotic patients than in the healthy controls. In the healthy volunteers, the measures of the proximal gastric size were significantly higher than in either group of cirrhotic patients at to, and at 10, 20 or 30 min after ingestion of a semisolid test meal with low calorie and fat contents. The proximal gastric sizes in the three groups of investigated subjects did not differ when the meal with high fat and calorie contents was tested. When the liquid meal was administered, the proximal gastric size was significantly lower in the cirrhotic patients with autonomic neuropathy. A significant intragroup difference was not observed when the semisolid meals were tested. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals an impairment of the proximal stomach in alcoholic cirrhotic patients. The low calorie liquid meal distinguishes between the two groups of cirrhotic patients and healthy controls.
BACKGROUND: The efficacies of second-generation antipsychotic medications in reducing symptoms are reasonably well-documented, but their effects on cognition are less clearly understood. AIMS: To under take an interim analysis of an open label, 2-year study examining the effects of quetiapine on cognition in patients with a first episode of schizophrenia and related disorders. METHOD: Cognitive testing was performed before quetiapine was initiated and repeated after 3, 6 and 12 months of treatment. To date, 13 patients have been fully assessed (mean dose 517.9 mg/day; s.d. = 225.8). RESULTS: Statistically significant improvement was noted on measures of attention (Continuous Performance Test; CPT), verbal productivity (Verbal Fluency Test) and executive function (Object Alternation Test) after 6 and 12 months of treatment. For the CPT, improvement was also noted after 3 months of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: During treatment for 1 year with quetiapine, cognitive performance was improved in young patients with psychosis. Continued controlled investigations of the effects of quetiapine on cognition are desirable.
Bovine torovirus is an established aetiological agent of disease in cattle, while porcine torovirus has only been isolated from healthy animals. Evidence for the presence of torovirus has been described in several European countries and also in the United States. A survey was performed to detect toroviruses in Hungary by means of sampling ten swine and nine bovine herds. Rectal swabs and faecal specimens were collected from diarrhoeic calves and from weaned piglets. The samples were tested by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using torovirus-specific primers and the positive samples were further examined by electron microscopy (EM). Torovirus was detected in 4 diarrhoeic calves (out of 111) and in 10 healthy weaned pigs (out of 200 tested), representing two of the 9 calf herds and two of the 10 pig herds tested. This is the first report of exact diagnosis of torovirus in Hungary.
The Hungarian breast cancer mortality is above the European average. Because of the lack of effective primary prevention, the control has to be based on the improving results of treatment which is much more successful in the case of early detected cancers. Beyond the patients collaboration and the application of the recommended diagnostic protocols, the population based screening programs have high importance in achieving earlier diagnosis. This study aimed to describe the regional differences of mammography's application as an indicator of diagnostic and screening performance. The records of the outpatient services' reports containing the code for native X-ray examination of the breast were analysed in the period of 01/07/1998 to 30/04/2000. The age specific and the age standardised relative frequencies of mammographical examination were determined for the Hungarian counties and Budapest. The observed age specific frequency of mammography for the whole country was 17, 21, 11 and 4% for the age group of 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70-74 years, respectively. The lowest observed values were 10 times smaller than the highest ones in every studied age group. The age standardised relative frequency of mammographical examination was higher than the national average in Tolna (2.52), Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén (1.48), Zala (1.41), Baranya (1.33), and Csongrád (1.27) counties and in Budapest (1.35). The described data demonstrates that the Hungarian practice of mammography is far from acceptable considering the frequency of application. On the other hand, it was also explored that serious geographical differences exist within the country. It seems that there are providers that can achieve relative successes in diagnosing the breast cancers in as early stage as it is possible. The evaluation and utilisation of the experiences of these providers could increase the efficacy of interventions organised to improve the Hungarian epidemiological status of breast cancer.
In recent years elaboration of the diagnosis of analgesic-nephropathy (ANP) with the help of imaging techniques significantly increased the possibility of diagnosing the disease. Therefore, evaluating the prevalence of ANP has become more accurate in our country as well. The prevalence of ANP has been investigated in patients who have newly been taken into the dialysis program due to renal disease of unknown aetiology in 22 dialysis centers between December 1994-December 1997. The diagnosis of ANP has been based on revealing chronic drug abuse in the history and positive results of renal imaging (decrease in length of both kidneys combined with either bumpy contours and/or papillary calcification). Among 284 patients dialysed with unknown diagnosis 42 (14.8% of all cases) proved to have ANP. All patients except 2 took analgesic mixtures containing phenacetin/paracetamol, phenason derivatives, acetilsalysilic acid, caffeine and/or codeine. According to their investigations, ANP is a common disease resulting in end-stage renal failure in Hungary as well.
An aerobic bacterium, isolated from a contaminated site, was able to degrade sulfanilic acid (4-aminobenzenesulfonic acid) and was identified as Pseudomonas paucimobilis. The isolate could grow on sulfanilic acid (SA) as its sole carbon and nitrogen source and metabolized the target compound to biomass. The bioconversion capacity depended on the sulfanilic acid concentration; greater than 98% elimination of the hazardous compound was achieved at low (10 mM) sulfanilic acid concentration, and the yield was greater than 70% at 50 mM concentration of the contaminant. The maximum conversion rate was 1.5 mmol sulfanilic acid/h per mg wet cells at 30 degrees C. Ca-alginate-phytagel proved a good matrix for immobilization of P. paucimobilis, with essentially unaltered biodegradation activity. Removal of sulfanilic acid from contaminated industrial waste water was demonstrated. SDS-PAGE analysis of the crude extract revealed novel proteins appearing upon induction with sulfanilic acid and related compounds, which indicated alternative degradation mechanisms involving various inducible enzymes.